Effects of smooth longitudinal passages and port configuration on the flow and thermal fields in a plate heat exchanger

Numerical results for heat transfer with laminar or turbulent flow in a two-channel PHE are presented. The temperature, heat flux and mass flow distributions are analyzed in the case of two fluid combinations: water/water and water/engine oil. These results show that, in the case of water/engine oil, both the thermal field and the mass flow distribution are more uniform compared to the water/water case. A comparison between the original geometry and the geometry with obstructed longitudinal channels shows that the presence of these passages decreases the heat transfer rate and the friction factor. The calculated performances of the side-flow and diagonal-flow configurations differ only slightly.

► The fluid and heat transfer inside a 2 channel Plate Heat Exchanger are studied.
► The numerical models, both laminar and turbulent, were satisfactorily validated.
► The flat longitudinal passages reduce both the heat transfer and friction factor.
► The side and diagonal port arrangements give negligible difference in heat transfer.
► The thermal field appears more uniform in oil/water case than water/water one.